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Coyle eyes Davies role

Bolton boss Owen Coyle insists Kevin Davies will play a key role in the club's battle for survival in the Premier League.

Last Updated: 07/04/12 1:07pm

Kevin Davies: Still has a big role to play at Bolton Wanderers, according to manager Owen Coyle

Bolton boss Owen Coyle insists Kevin Davies will play a key role in the club's battle for survival in the Premier League.

The Trotters skipper has struggled to nail down a place in the first team this season, starting just one game so far in 2012.

Niggling injuries have played their part, but so has the form of summer signing David N'Gog, who has often been given the nod ahead of the former Southampton man.

Davies was even linked with a move away from the club in the January transfer window, with Martin O'Neill's Sunderland making a £250,000 bid for the powerful forward, whose contract expires in the summer.

That bid was swiftly rejected and Davies has since gone on to play his part in a fine run of form that has raised hopes of a successful battle against the drop.

He has scored two goals in his last three games, with his strike last week against Wolves sealing a third league win on the bounce that has lifted the club a point clear of the drop zone.

Attitude

Coyle has praised the attitude shown by Davies during his spell out of the team and insists he is still a key member of the squad heading into the relegation run-in.

"When you are not in the starting XI it can be for a number of reasons. There are huge variables - it can be because of injury, loss of form or tactics," said Coyle, whose side take on Fulham at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

"What I know is that the skipper has a huge part to play at Bolton Wanderers. I said that in January when lots of clubs were interested in him.

"I sat with him extensively and he knows my feelings. He has shown that he is very much up for the battle ahead.

"His quality isn't up for debate but what we have had to do is get him fresh and energetic, which he has been.